REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES OF ORIGIN
TO THE General COUNCIL
on Preferential Rules of Origin for least
developed countries
1.
This report is being submitted by the Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) to
the General Council in accordance with the Ministerial Decision of 7 December
2013 (WT/L/917) on Preferential Rules of Origin for Least Developed Countries
(LDCs). Paragraph 1.10 of that Decision stipulates that "the Committee on
Rules of Origin shall annually review the developments in preferential rules of
origin applicable to imports from LDCs, in accordance with these guidelines,
and report to the General Council."
2.
Accordingly, the CRO has conducted its first annual review of developments
in the area of preferential rules of origin for LDCs during its formal meeting
of 30 October 2014.
3.
The CRO heard a presentation by the Secretariat about the WTO Database on
Preferential Trade Agreements, where Members' notifications and legislation on
preferential rules of origin can be accessed (http://ptadb.wto.org).
The database is a useful tool to access existing rules of origin applicable to
LDCs and monitor them.
4.
In addition, the CRO took note of new rules of origin associated with a
duty-free and quota-free scheme implemented by Chile (G/RO/N/124).
5.
Concluding the review, the Chairman reminded all delegations that they
should notify any new or modified rules of origin which apply to LDCs according
to established procedures. In addition, the Chairman invited all Members to
develop or build their individual rules of origin in accordance with the
guidelines provided in the Ministerial Decision.
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